Armed police took to the streets of Beaconsfield after reports of a man in possession of a firearm.

A helicopter also circled the area following the reports on Saturday (March 5) and hovered over the town "for at least 20 minutes" at around 1pm.

The officers challenged the man outside Costa Coffee in the New Town but a subsequent search found nothing on him.

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He was then let go with Thames Valley Police (TVP) confident they located the correct person.

One eyewitness, Selina Sareen said: "I was driving up to Gail’s, and cars had to pull up on each side to make way for three unmarked police vehicles which had armed police inside all three cars.

"I made my way to Beenas beauty clinic where I was able to take a photo of the helicopter which was hovering over the town for at least 20 minutes."

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Another added: "When we drove into Beaconsfield just before the incident, there were 3 police cars staged on the way in.

"In the town, there were two police officers on the corner by Costa.

"There was such a large presence there yet not many people took notice of it.

"It was very bizarre."

Bucks Free Press: A helicopter was also circling the areaA helicopter was also circling the area

A TVP spokesman said: "This related to an incident whereby a report was received of a person in possession of what appeared to be a firearm.

"Armed officers attended the scene, which resulted in a challenge of a man outside the Costa Coffee in Station Road, Beaconsfield New Town.

"Following a search, nothing was located and the man was let on his way.

"We are satisfied that this was the correct person, and no offences were committed, however, we responded as appropriate following the original report."

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